Healthy Pregnancy Fair

Are you an expectant parent? Whether it's your first or fifth, join the Hub Family Resource Centre, our special keynote speaker Cynthia Gabriel, and community partners for an afternoon filled with all things pregnancy and birth!

Cynthia Gabriel is a medical anthropologist, mother of three, and a doula who has attended nearly 100 births.With a PhD from the University of California at Santa Cruz and a Post-Doctorate Fellowship from the University of Michigan, Gabriel’s research focuses on stress during pregnancy among African American women. She served as Vice President of the Board of Directors for the Center for the Childbearing Year, and runs women’s and parents’ support groups. Gabriel is also the founder of Growing Together, a Life Learning Center that offers psychotherapy and life coaching services in Ann Arbor, Michigan, where she resides.Her new book, Natural Hospital Birth: The Best of Both Worlds, was born on March 15, 2011.

Cathy Underhill Borealis Counseling

Cathy Underhill has a Masters in Counselling degree from the University of Ottawa and is also a Certified Counsellor with the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association. She holds a Ph.D. in Experimental Psychology with a specialization in human memory, and has co-facilitated a number of groups, including anxiety management, grief and loss, and Mindfulness for Wellbeing. Cathy regularly delivers workshops on a wide variety of wellness topics. She has training in Mindfulness from the Ottawa Mindfulness Clinic and runs the Mindfulness for Wellbeing program at Borealis Counselling Services, a local non-profit counseling and EAP Agency located in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo, where she holds the position of Executive Director and counsellor.

Kassandra Heap Borealis Counseling

I have recently had the pleasure of joining the Borealis Counselling Services team as a full-time Clinical Counsellor. My educational background includes a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from the University of Victoria, and a Master’s Degree in Counselling Psychology from Athabasca University. I am a professional member, in good standing, with the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association. Prior to joining Borealis Counselling Services, I worked with youth and adolescents as a School Counsellor. Helping youth and adolescents thrive and flourish, in their school and home environment, is very rewarding. I use a wide variety of creative therapeutic techniques in my practice, including; integrating play and art-making into therapy, mindfulness, and strengths-based approaches. Ultimately, my focus in sessions is to be present with my clients and to provide a safe, non-judgemental, space.

Tayla Malott Mamasaurus

Before Tayla discovered her love for motherhood she started her career as a paramedic. She has worked in many cities as a paramedic and eventually moved to Fort McMurray in 2008. Tayla later went back to school to become a firefighter and was hired by the Fort McMurray fire department where she has worked for 6 years. Tayla has started a business as a Mama Coach. She does prenatal education, Doula work, Sleep consulting, and nursery design with a large focus on breastfeeding support! She has completed her CLC (Certified Lactation Counsellor) and is working towards her IBCLC. Tayla is extremely passionate about everything breastfeeding and feels compelled to be the breastfeeding support our community needs! She has personally dealt with many breastfeeding challenges with her two children and understands the struggle. Tayla supports La Leche League and is compelled to be an advocate for advancement in tongue and lip tie education in Fort Mcmurray. “Breastfeeding can be hard! Support and education are so important. I do not want any mothers to feel they are alone or that there isn’t help here in town. I want to be your advocate and support!”

Shellene Dirk Clearwater Physotherapy

Shellene Dirk is a Physical Therapists is a big promoter of Pelvic Health. Pelvic health physiotherapy is the assessment and treatment of various conditions that involve the pelvic floor or symptoms that manifest in this area. It can be a crucial part of an individual’s complete medical care. The pelvic floor includes muscles, ligaments, nerves and connective tissue. It plays an important role in the body by providing support for the bladder, genitals, uterus and anus.